Oxygen reduction on molybdenum carbide derived micromesoporous carbon electrode in alkaline solution

• Published in: Electrochemistry communications 2013-10, Vol.35, p.97-99
• Main Authors: Jäger, R., Kasatkin, P.E., Härk, E., Lust, E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alkaline fuel cell; Applied sciences; Carbide derived carbon; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Oxygen reduction reaction; Rotating disc electrode method
• ISSN: 1388-2481; 1873-1902
• DOI: 10.1016/j.elecom.2013.08.001

Micromesoporous carbide derived carbon powder, synthesized from molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) at 750°C using high-temperature chlorination method, and was used as a catalyst for oxygen electroreduction. Cyclic voltammetry and rotating disc electrode data show that very high cathodic current density of −70 A m−2 has been achieved for 0.1M KOH aqueous solution saturated with O2. There are two clearly separable linear regions in the Tafel plot for C(Mo2C) electrode, indicating that the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) mechanism depends on the electrode potential applied. Very high half-wave potentials have been measured, demonstrating that C(Mo2C) is a very active catalyst for ORR. •High cathodic current density has been achieved for 0.1M KOH aqueous solution saturated with O2.•C(Mo2C) showed high positive half-wave potential values.•Oxygen reduction currents measured for C(Mo2C) are two times higher than for widely used carbons.